Loose-leaf binder.



J. BYSTROM.

LOOSE LEAF BINDER.

APPLICATION FILED DCT. 9| l9l6.

WNITED STMIIE ATENT OFFICE,

JOI-IN BYSTROM7 OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

LOOSE-LEAF BINDER.

Application filed October 9, 1916.

To all whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN BYs'rnoM, a citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Loose-Leaf Binders, of which the following is a description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, in which corresponding numerals of reference in the different figures indicate like parts.

My invention relates to loose-leaf binders ofthe type having curved prongs attached to opposite hinged binding members for engaging and holding perforated leaves, and my object is to provide a simple, cheap and effective locking means for detachably lock ing said binding members in operative holding relation to each other, all of which is hereinafter more particularly described and definitely pointed out in the claim.

In the drawings Figure l, is an end View 0f a loose-leaf binder embodying the features of my invention as it would appear when closed, a portion of the cover members and leaves being broken away,

Fig. 2, is an interior view of the device as it would appear when locked and the covers o ened but without leaves, a portion of one of the hinged frame members being broken away, to show the manner in which the lock is engaged,

Fig. 3, is an end view of the device as it would appear when open and unlocked ready for the insertion of leaves,

Fig. 4, is a transverse section taken upon the line 4:, Fig. 2, viewed in the direction of the arrow there shown, and

F ig. 5, is a section taken upon the line 5-5 Fig. 2, viewed as indicated by the arrows. el

Referring to the drawings, 'l and 2 indicate generally and as a whole the main frame members, which are formed from elongated sheet-metal plates bent at substantially right angles in cross-section as better' shown in Fig. 4, to form counterpart or complementary primary, secondary and flange portions 3, ll, 5, 6 and 7 and 8 respectively, the parts 3 and l being bent toward each other from the parts 5 and 6 respectively, and hinged together' at 9, while the flange parts 7 and S are bent in opposite Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented J une 18, 1918.

Serial No. 124,552.

directions with respect to the parts 5 and (i, so that the part 7 will always be in a plane substantially parallel to that of the part 3, and the part 8 in a plane substantially parallel to that of the part 4;. IVhen, therefore, the binder is closed the parts 5 and (3 will lie `in a common plane, the parts 3 and -l will abut against each other and the parts 7 and S will be parallel. As a result of this construction, the parts 5 and (i will be spaced apart when the binder is open as shown in Figs. 3 and 4.

For the purpose of providing a suitable backing support for the binder, I attach backing plates l0 and. 1l, to the parts 7 and 8, which plates are provided with flanges 12 and 13 resl'ieetively, bent at oblique angles thereto as shown in Fig. 4. The width of said flanges should be less than that of the parts 5 and of the frame n1e1nbers and they should be so formed with re spect to each other as to provide spaces between the edges of said flanges as well as between said flanges and the axis 9 of the hinge. Said .flanges serve as a support for a continuous flexible binding lll which spans the space between them in the manner shown at l5, Figs. 1, 3 and 4l, and is extended in any well known way over hinged cover flaps 16 and 17. A plate 18, is rigidly attached by means of rivets 19 to the plates 7 and 10, and a like plate 2O to the plates 8 and 11, said plates serving as supports for the usual well known counterpart prongs 21 and 22 respectively, adapted to secure the leaves 23 in place.

The ends of the parts 5 and 6 are bent at right angles to provide end :flanges 23 and Q4: respectively to close the spaces at the ends between the parts 5 and 12 and (3 and 13 respectively, so as to form a finish.

'.lhe following described locking mechanism is provided for securing the hinged frame members in locked relation to each other. A lockinganember, generally desighated by Q5, is formed from sheet-metal and consists of integral portions 26 and 27, bent in cross-section at right angles to each other throughout its length. Said locking member is placed within the angle formed by the intersection of the parts 4 and 6 and in parallel relation thereto, with the part or flange 26, against the part 4: and the part 27 against the part 6, in which relation said member is slidably held by means of clips llO 28Figs. 2, 4 and`5, rigidly attached by means of rivets 29 to the part 6. One end of the part 27 is caused to project beyond the end of the frame plate and is provided with a linger-piece or lug 30 bent at an angle thereto, by Which it may be actuated. A coiled springl, Figs. 2 and 5, has one end attached to the part 24 and the Vother to a stud 32, upon said slidable locking plates and serves to yieldingly hold said locking plate normally in a locking position. Slots 33, Figs. 2, 4 and 5, are formed in said locking-plate in position to register with hooked detents 34, Which are rigidly attached to the part 5, and curved, as shown in Fig. 4, so as to readily enter said slots. rlhe slots 33 are in substantial registration with openings or slots 33a Fig. 4, Jformed in the part 4. Then the binding members are brought together the hooks of the detents are brought into sliding angular engagement With the ends of the slots 33, thereby causing the spring to yield to permit their entry, When the recoil of the spring restores the locking plate to a locking position. The binder may be unlocked by pressing against the lug 30 until the spring yields, When the binder may be opened as shown in Fig. 3. It is obvious that the mere closing Gopes of this patent may be obtained for of the binding members will cause the locking members to snap into engagement.

Having thus described my invention, l claim:-

A loose-leail binder comprising, in combination, counterpart longitudinal frame members having primary portions hinged together, said portions being arranged to abut against each other when the binderis closed, cach of said primary portions having a secondary integral portion formed at right angles thereto in cross-section, a longitudinally slidable locking member slidably held upon one of said secondary portions, said member consisting of an angle-bar adapted to tit in the angle formed by the in tersection of said primary. and secondary parts and having a slot therein for the reception of a detentland a detent upon the other of said secondary portions for engagl ing said slidable locking member.

In testimony whereof,v I have signed this specification in the presence oftWo subscribing Witnesses, this 18th day of September,

JOI-IN BYSTRM. Witnesses:

DAvn) H. FLETCHER, ERIK L. KRAG.

five cents each, by addressing the Gommissioncr of Patents, Washington, D. 6G. 

